The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1887-06-23
HOW MARY CAME.
a True Love Story Of the Old
World and the New.

There was larger crowd than usual
around the railroad depot at Prairie City,
Dakota, on July IL. 1t was an anniversary
in the history Of the place and the people
were indulging in something Of celebra-
ton. Prairie City was one month old.
When the long mixed train, consisting of
twenty-five or thirty freight cars and one
passenger coach behind them, came delib-
erately in an hour behind time and steadily
losing, the crowd had arranged itself into
that attitude Of easy grace peculiar to such
assemblages. The majority were armed
with large jack-knives and busily engaged
in whiting pieces of pine split from the
corners of the dry-goods boxes scattered
about. Those not engaged in this occupa-
tion had their hands in their pockets and
appeared to be deploring the fact that they
could not do that and whittie at the same
time The July sun shone down fercely
and was reflected from the unpainted sides
Df the depot building with surprising in
fensity. There was light wind, but it was
try and hot, and not the cool and refreshing
breeze that was supposed to ian the cheek
Of the dweller in that region.
The locomotive stopped just beyond the
fepot and took water. A brakeman got
Down on the platform and gossiped with
the crowd, and the conductor went in and
held long, mysterious conference with the
station agent, as was his wont each day.
''Got s'more em'grants fer ye," said
Three-fngered Jim, the head brakeman.
What be theyf' asked Paddy O'Shaugh-
messy.
''Norsks."
sIexpict," returned Paddy, with undis-
guised scorn.
.'You shouldn't speak so slightin'ly of
'em,'' said Judge Wilkins, they'll help de-
Ielop the country"
Develop nothin'i Wy, they can't talk,
san they, Jimmy"
Nav. Green 'uns right from where
they grow. Half dozen Norwegians and
Finlander. Yes, and L believe there's q
Denmarker, too," added Jim, meditatively.
''Finlander, hey!" demanded Paddy, and
he fairly groaned. They're the worst
kind there be. They don't niver know
nothin' at all. wy, seen 'em where thev
be's in this country years and they keeps
sayin' who whin they wants their oxen to
stop. Ye all knows it." he added, appeal
ing to the crowd.
Il am not really particular how they in
duce their oxen to stop if can have the Job
OF locating them on some land" said Law
yer Barker.
20, yez thinks yez can make some money
out Of 'em," returned Paddy, derisively.
but they says who to their oxen and I
knows it," and he retired very much dis
gusted with a community that would not
unanimously denounce race guilty of such
q heinous crime.
While this conversation was taking place
the emigrants had been coming from the
car up to the depot-the length of the train
making 1t no inconsiderahle walk There
were dozen Of them, all in their native
dress and looking as picturesque as when
thev embarked at Christiana or Helsing-
fors. They all had the fair hair and COM
plexions and blue eyes OF the Scandinavian.
Most OF the men were tall and well proper
toned, though some Of them were short
and thick-there seemed to be one standard
size so far as width was concerned, and
the man who unfortunately stopped grow
ing at five feet was the same size other
ways as his six-foot companion. The
women appeared stout and healthy and
well able 70 take care of themselves and
the children and numerous bundles. They
wore small, bright-colored shawls on their
heads and q long scarf around their shoul-
ders and waists. The children brought up
the rear Of the procession, keeping hold Of
hands and very close together, but they
could not stare around with much greater
curiosity than did their elders. They we're
dressed exactly like their fathers and
mothers, and the fact that girl wore q
dress reaching almost to the ground, and a
boy great double breasted vest with brass
buttons on it, did not indicate that either
was over six or seven years OF age
Judging from the dress Of the whole
party, the extremely elevated condition in
which they Sound tie mercury must have